Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in Russia’s Sochi for an informal summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in what he said would further strengthen the “special and privileged” strategic partnership between the two countries.

“All in 9 hours! Continuing the tradition of high-leve visits, PM Modi arrives in Sochi for informal summit with President Putin. The two leaders will meet with delegation, followed by a private lunch at Bocharev Creek and conclude with Tete-a-tete before departing today,” said Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson at the ministry of external affairs.

This will be the first meeting between President Putin and Prime Minister Modi this year, however, since the beginning of the year, the two leaders have had several phone conversations.

Here are the live updates:

4.45 pm: PM Modi says the strategic partnership between India and Russia has now been elevated into a “special privileged strategic partnership”.

4.21 pm: PM Modi says Russia played a major role in helping India get a permanent membership in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

“We are working together on International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and BRICS,” says Modi.

SCO is an eight nation bloc which aims at military and economic cooperation between the member states. India and Pakistan were admitted last year into the organisation.

4.03 pm: India and Russia have been friends for a long time. Thankful to President Putin for inviting me for an informal meeting at Sochi, says PM Narendra Modi

* The two leaders may also deliberate on extending the Indo-Russia civil nuclear cooperation to third countries, possible areas for cooperation for the International North-South Transport Corridor project, India’s engagement with the five-nation Eurasian Economic Union and the situation in the Korean peninsula.

* On the eve of his visit to Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hoped his talks with President Vladimir Putin would further strengthen the “special and privileged” strategic partnership between India and Russia.

* “Greetings to the friendly people of Russia. I look forward to my visit to Sochi tomorrow and my meeting with President Putin. It is always a pleasure to meet him,” he tweeted.